NMAT has a total of 108 questions with equal weightage across three sections. Candidates need to answer all questions within 120 minutes. Preparation based on the NMAT syllabus weightage will help candidates obtain a good score. Scroll down for NMAT important topics and weightage.
NMAT Syllabus Weightage and Important Topics
NMAT Syllabus Weightage and Important Topics: The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) conducts NMAT exam for admission to MBA courses. NMAT is an adaptive exam with difficulty level varying based on the candidate's previous answer. The NMAT exam has three sections, namely Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills. Candidates preparing using the NMAT syllabus weightage and exam pattern usually obtain a higher score. Check details on the NMAT syllabus weightage and important topics below.
- NMAT Sectional Overview
- NMAT Language Skills Syllabus Weightage
- NMAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus Weightage
- NMAT Quantitative Skills Syllabus Weightage
NMAT Sectional Overview
The table below outlines NMAT questions and time limits across all three sections:
| Section Name |
Total Questions |
Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Language Skills (Verbal Ability) |
36 |
28 Minutes |
| Logical Reasoning |
36 |
40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Skills & DI |
36 |
52 Minutes |
Commonly asked questions
Based on feedback from test takers, NMAT exam is moderate to tough in terms of difficulty standards. Compared top other exams like XAT, and CAT, NMAT is on an easier side. NMAT difficulty is considered similar to SNAP exam.
The NMAT exam is considered to have a moderate to tough difficulty level. However, compared to exams like CAT and XAT, NMAT is on the easier side. Its difficulty standard is generally considered similar to the SNAP exam
Completing NMAT syllabus varies across candidates. Different candidates may have different strengths and weaknesses. Some candidates may need only a week or two. Whereas some might need months.
All sections of NMAT exam hold equal importance as the weighatge in terms of number of questions, and marks are similar across sections. Therefore, no particular section out of three sections hold additional importance. Candidates must prepare for all three sections based on the NMAT syllabus. However, candidates must work on theIr speed as the NMAT exam will have sectional weightage. Although all three sections have equal number of questions, each section has an unidentical time limit to answer these questions.
NMAT Language Skills Syllabus Weightage
The Language Skills section requires solving 36 questions in 28 minutes. Therefore, candidates need a high reading speed to attempt all questions within time.
| Topic |
Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension |
8 to 12 Questions |
| Para Forming (Parajumbles) |
4 to 5 Questions |
| Grammar (Error Identification) |
3 to 4 Questions |
| Grammar (Prepositions) |
4 to 5 Questions |
| Grammar (Sentence Correction) |
4 to 5 Questions |
| Vocabulary / Analogy |
4 to 5 Questions |
-
Reading Comprehension (RC): Candidates can expect either two or three RC passages. If the exam presents two passages, they will likely be longer (around 400 to 600 words) and contain four questions each, totaling eight questions. If there are three passages, there will be a total of 12 questions. Candidates must scroll through the entire passage on the screen; attempting to move to the next question without scrolling will generate a warning prompt.
-
Para Forming (Parajumbles): This category typically has four to five questions. Unlike other exams, NMAT provides five options rather than using Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) formats.
-
Grammar: The grammar portion is divided into three distinct question types: Error Identification, Prepositions, and Sentence Correction. Cumulatively, grammar concepts account for a significant portion of the section, making foundational English grammar essential.
-
Analogy and Vocabulary: Analogy questions appear frequently, averaging four to five per exam. These depend on vocabulary, specifically synonyms and antonyms.
NMAT Logical Reasoning Syllabus Weightage
The Logical Reasoning section has 36 questions and a 40-minute limit. It is unique for its heavy emphasis on verbal reasoning. Find the topic wise weightge in NMAT Logical Reasoning section below:
| Topic |
Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Critical Reasoning |
15 to 18 Questions |
| Input-Output |
4 to 5 Questions |
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangements |
4 to 10 Questions |
| Basic Logical Reasoning |
4 to 5 Questions |
Commonly asked questions
The NMAT logical reasoning syllabus covers a mix of analytical and critical thinking topics. Candidates must prepare for the following topics:
- Coding and Decoding
- Puzzles
- Series
- Arrangement
- Multi-dimensional arrangements
- Family Tree
In addition to the above topcis, questions from Numeric Grid, Syllogisms, Statement Conclusions, Course of Action, Critical Reasoning, Calendars, Strong and Weak Arguments, and Blood Relations are also included. All the topics under the NMAT logical reasoning syllabus will assess logical decision-making and reasoning ability of the test taker.
Yes, candidates can efficiently prepare using the books recommended for CAT exam preparation or any other MBA entrance exam. The syllabus for these entrance exams is mostly similar, covering Language Skills, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Skills.
Yes, candidates can prepare for NMAY exam in one month by planning a focused approach. Practice the free NMAT question paper, analyse your weak areas, and divide your time to cover one section per week, leaving the final week for revision
Yes, candidates must refer to at least two books for each section while preparing for the NMAT exam. It is highly recommended to use the official GMAC guide along with other standard competitive exam preparation books.
-
Critical Reasoning (CR): This is the most crucial module in the Logical Reasoning section, constituting approximately 50% of the entire section (around 15 to 18 questions). Candidates cannot expect to clear the sectional cutoff without studying CR. The questions focus on strengthening the argument, weakening the argument, identifying implicit and explicit statements, inferences, conclusions, statement-assumptions, and cause-and-effect.
-
Input-Output: This topic is specific to NMAT syllabus and appears annually. Candidates typically find one set of four to five questions.
-
Puzzles and Arrangements: From this topic, the exam has questions on linear arrangements, circular arrangements, and distribution puzzles. These typically account for four to ten questions depending on the number of sets presented.
-
Basic Logical Reasoning: The remaining questions are distributed among miscellaneous topics such as Venn diagrams, syllogisms, number/letter series, blood relations, direction sense, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, cubes, and calendars.
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NMAT Quantitative Skills Syllabus Weightage
Quantitative Skills has 36 questions to be answered within 52 minutes. Candidates will not get any on screen calculator, therefore, they must rely on mental maths. Topic distribution can vary due to the adaptive format.
| Topic |
Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Data Interpretation (DI) |
12 to 16 Questions |
| Data Sufficiency (DS) |
3 to 5 Questions |
| Arithmetic |
9 to 10 Questions |
| Algebra |
5 to 6 Questions |
| Modern Math (P&C, Probability) |
3 to 5 Questions |
| Number System |
1 to 3 Questions |
-
Data Interpretation (DI): DI is a major part of the section, with 12 to 16 calculation-intensive questions. As options are often close, exact calculation is required. Common question types include tables, caselets, and charts.
-
Data Sufficiency (DS): Candidates find around three to five questions primarily from the arithmetic concepts.
-
Arithmetic: Arithmetic dominates the section with 9 to 10 questions. Important topics from Arithmetic in NMAT exam include percentages, interest, profit and loss, and ratios.
-
Algebra: Candidates find around five to six questions. Important topics include progressions, equations, logarithms, and functions.
-
Modern Maths: Important topics from Modern Maths include Permutation & Combination and Probability with three to five questions.
-
Number System: Candidates can expect up to three questions from remainders, HCF, and LCM.
Candidates must utilise sample question papers and mock tests to build their reading speed and manual calculation speed. NMAT mocks also help candidates in understanding the adaptive exam interface.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 days ago
No, you cannot get direct admission into Amity University, Noida for the MBA/PGDM course. Students have to either attempt the CAT or the NMAT exam for admission and then sit for the selection process (if qualified), which involves GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview).
For the CAT exam,
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
To get a seat at IFMR Chennai, students have to first appear for any one of the entrance exams accepted by the institute for the MBA/PGDM course admission. CAT, XAT, NMAT, CMAT, Andhra Pradesh ICET, IPAMT and SAT India are the entrance exams accepted by this institute for admission to the management
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The NMAT registration is generally open from August to October. Students have to apply for the exam through its official website. The exam results are announced around November/December. Students can check the results on official website by logging in with their registration number. Selected applica
B
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
CAT is widely accepted across most the top-tier private MBA colleges in India besides all the top IIMs, but the scores alone are not enough, especially in institutes like Management Development Institute, SPJIMR, MICA, etc. There are interview rounds and candidate profile selections to go through af
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, students have to apply separately for NMIMS Navi Mumbai MBA admission after NMAT results are out. Students must go to the NMIMS website and register online. To submit the form, candidates have to provide documents and application fees.
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Contributor-Level 10
Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance
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